Our Story

When a single mother is homeless, every aspect of life becomes complicated. How will she feed her family? Where will they sleep each night? Will they be safe? If she finds a job, how will she get there? Where will the children go to daycare or school? How will they all get ready for the day?

The first step toward ending and preventing homelessness for homeless single mothers and their children is to "House A Family". When the family has the security and stability of a home, they have the foundation needed to rebuild their lives.

Each Mom in our program receives first month's rent and the security deposit needed to move into a home. Then they receive rental assistance on a decreasing basis over a 9 month period to encourage independence and not dependence. While having the peace of mind of stable housing, they can begin focusing on their long term goals of entering a career that will support them financially. They focus on maintaining and being accountable to a budget they set and developing a supportive network of friendships.

Choose to provide rental assistance for a homeless single mother and her children through a monthly or one time donation. As you receive your monthly updates on the family you choose, you will see how your support is building the foundation for that family. You will be making it possible for a mom to rebuild her life and provide a home for her family forever.

Watch Sarah's Story and segments aired on Good Day PA & read the article in Harrisburg Magazine to learn more about Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area.

The vision of Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area is Dauphin and Cumberland Counties where no family is homeless.

The mission of Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area is to engage Christian faith communities in ending family homelessness through neighboring relationships that demonstrate Christ’s love.

Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area is a Christian faith-based solution to family homelessness that focuses on building social capital and providing intensive, holistic services. Each family receiving Bridge of Hope Harrisburg Area services becomes part of a Bridge of Hope Neighborhood. The Bridge of Hope Neighborhood model connects each Family to a group of Neighboring Volunteers from within a Christian Faith Community (church, small group, house church, etc.) and with a Bridge of Hope Neighborhood Resource Specialist/Case Manager. Bridge of Hope Families, consisting single mothers with children, successfully exit the program with safe and sustainable housing, improved financial position and an extended Neighborhood of support. The act of Neighboring builds social capital for families facing homelessness and offers a homelessness buffering support system to ensure that families achieve stable housing and offers tangible support to ensure that the family has the long-term resources to remain housed. From homelessness to community; from strangers to neighbors.

Interested in meeting with Johanna Fessenden, Executive Director, about supporting a family? Schedule an appointment with her HERE

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the families.